Fan Fiction - Written by Doug Fowler - Television Universe

Take Good Care Of My BabyWritten by: Doug Fowler

A different take on why Jesse and Becky never had another baby after the end of the 6th season. First part is before "The Apartment." Second half is after "Tough Love."(Teaser: Solar System Silliness - Joey, Michelle, Denise, Jesse)

Michelle: Did you see Jeff and Lucas? First day of second grade, and they got in
a food fight. And, they wound up dumping whole trays on each other.
Denise: Well, you know what they say. Boys go to Jupiter.
Joey: Well, it's possible, if Bugs Bunny went to Mars.
Denise: No, you don't understand. Some girls say 'Boys go to Jupiter to get
more stupider.'
Michelle: That's not very nice. I'd rather say boys go to Mars to get more cars.
Joey: Well, I always said girls went to Saturn. Because of its pretty rings.
Jesse: Yeah, well I think you're from Pluto. It's a Mickey Mouse planet.

(D.J. and Kimmy are walking toward their car in the student parking lot.)DJ: Can you believe how big Kathy Santoni got over the summer?
Kimmy: Yeah. She must have started to eat like Steve.
DJ: Kimmy! Don't you get it? I heard rumors. I won't say what.
Kimmy: Come on, Deej, I'm your best friend. You can tell me.
DJ: Well...(she speaks lowly) There might be someone inside her.
Kimmy: Whoa, that is big news. Kathy Santoni ate someone?
D.J.:(Exasperated, as Kathy walks up to them by Kimmy's car) Kimmy! (Turns
to Kathy) Oh, hi. (Starts to get in.)
Kathy: D.J., wait. (She breathes deeply.) I know you don't like to hang around
me anymore, because...well...
Kimmy: Her family says you make me look like her.
DJ: Kimmy, knock it off. (To Kathy): So, let me guess?
Kathy: No need. You know I show all the signs. I just wanna invite you to my
baby shower in a few days. (She hands them invitations) And...well, ask you to
keep it a secret. For now.
DJ: Kathy, I have to tell my dad why I'm suddenly buying a shower gift.
Besides, Steph and Michelle will want to come along shopping. And, you know
they'll blab.
Kathy: Well, that's something else. I know your aunt and uncle who live with
you have been talking about another baby. (D.J. nods) Well, Mom said I could
keep Scott. But, I'm really thinking about ad-... ad--.
Kimmy: Addition? We covered that in first grade. I think I had it down pat by
third.
DJ: Kimmy. (Lowly) She means adoption. (To Kathy): Kathy, you know your
life as a carefree teen will be over if you raise this child. But, it's going to be
very hard to let go, too.
Kathy: At least I'd know he was in a good home, though. The father moved
across the country with his parents. He'll send support, but he'll never see him.
DJ: And you want him to have a stable home. (She sighs as Kathy nods) I'll talk
it over with them this afternoon.

(Stephanie and Michelle are playing with the twins. Nicky and Alex are each
pulling at the same toy train)Nicky: MINE!
Alex: MINE!
Stephanie:: Okay, hold it, boys. (She puts her hand on the train) I better learn to
find ways to help if I'm to babysit for more than just you, Michelle.
Michelle: Maybe they can do "rock, paper, scissors?"
Stephanie:: That might be a little advenaced for them, but we'll see. (To the
twins): Hold out your hands. (They do. ) Now make a fist like this. (They copy
her)
Michelle: (as Joey walks in) That's rock. Now do this. (They make a 'V' shape
like Michelle.) That's scissors. And this is paper. (She turns her palm
downward)
Joey: (kneeling to the ground with them) Oh, cool, rock, paper, scissors. I love
this game.
Stephanie:: Did you play it a lot when you were a kid, Joey?
Joey: Oh, yeah. I even did the voice. (In deep voice) There was Rocky the Rock.
(Does sneaky, Russian villain type voice) Then there was Ivan Scissors-ov. (Does
John Wayne) And of course, Pancho the paper, Pilgrim.
Michelle: Those are great.
Joey: Okay, now look. (Jesse walks in and glares as Joey demonstrates) See, rock
is the tough guys. It can fly right through the paper. The paper covers the
scissors. And the scissors, being the sneaky villains, can easily plant a tracking
device in the rock, set to go off unless our hero the paper can defuse it...
Jesse: Joey, what in the world are you talking about? That's not how it works at
all. Scissors cut paper, rock smashes scissors, and paper covers rock.
Joey: (standing to face Jesse) Did the Flintstones have wallpaper in their cave?
No.
Jesse: I'm not talking about the Flinstones. Paper covers rock, it can't cover
scissors.
Stephanie:: Paper can cover walls if it's big enough.
Jesse: (turning to Stephanie for a second): True. (Back to Joey): But the important
thing is, scissors cut the paper. (To Michelle): Do the scissors in your school cut
paper?
Michelle: The scissors they gave us in Kindergarten hardly cut anything.
Jesse: Okay, but ordinarily scissors cut paper. See, Joey?
Joey: Ah, but the paper can cover up the scissors so you can't find them to cut.
As I'm sure Michelle has experienced. (She nods)
Jesse: Well, think, Joey, maybe there was no paper covering the Flintstone's
walls because it all got cut by the scissors! (The girls giggle)
Joey: No, because if the Flintstones had wallpapered their cave, the wallpaper
could easily cover the scissors until the Flintstones were done papering. (He
holds a finger to his chin.) Unless a rock got thrown through the paper.
Jesse: Come on, Joey, kids on every playground in America know... (He rolls his
eyes as D.J. and Steve walk in): Listen to me, I'm having an argument with a
grown man over rock, paper, scissors!
D.J.:(Shaking her head) Boy, I wish high school let out earlier. I miss the good
stuff. Is Aunt Becky upstairs?
Jesse: Yeah, go on up. (As she leaves) Look, Joey, you've got to play the game by
the rules.
Joey: And the rules are that paper can cover everything else.
Steve: Is there anything in the refrigerator?
Stephanie: (to Michelle) Hey, there's a good truce. Just say Steve eats
everything.
Michelle: Yeah, but how do you make a Steve with your hand?
Stephanie: (folding her thumb over so it looks like a mouth, opening and closing
it): Like this.

(Aunt Becky hears a knock on the door to the attic)Becky: Come on in, Michelle. (D.J. enters) Whoa, you've grown since you left for
second grade.
DJ: It's just me, Aunt Becky.
Becky: I know. Come on over and have a seat. (They sit on the couch) So, what's
on your mind?
DJ: Aunt Becky; did you ever have a classmate who was pregnant?
Becky: Whoa, what a tough question your first day of eleventh grade. Not in my
town, but over in the next one there was.
DJ: What happened?
Becky: Well, the parents lassoed the boy involved, and made them get married
out in a cornfield.
DJ: Well, there won't be any cornfields involved in this one. Or lassos long
enough.
Becky: Tough case, huh?
DJ: Yeah. Aunt Becky, you know Kathy Santoni, right? (She nodded) It's her.
And the boy moved across the country.
Becky: Oh no. What's she going to do?
DJ: Well, she knows you want to have another baby. And, she wondered
if...(Becky leans closer) Well, if you might take hers.
Becky: D.J., that's great that she'd think of us. But, when she holds that bundle
of joy in her arms, she's going to find it hard to let go.
DJ: I know. She thought she wanted a baby. But, now she realizes how much
stress there is. Even if she does live with her mom yet.
Becky: There's another thing to consider. She won't be alone. And, she needs to
learn to be responsible for her actions. (She smiled) But, don't worry. Tell her
she doesn't have to leave the baby in a hayloft for some unknown farmer to
raise.
DJ: Huh?
Becky: Sorry, just thinking of that case back home. We'd be happy to adopt.
That baby would see so much love. Just like our own.
DJ: Thanks, Aunt Becky. (They embrace)

(Danny and Becky are talking in the living room, Michelle is eating a bedtime
snack. Jesse comes downstairs)Becky: Okay, and for next Monday's show...Oh, hey, Jess. You know, I've been
thinking. About the baby we want to have. Uh... (She looks at Michelle, who
gets an ornery grin)
Danny: Don't worry about listening. Just eat your ice cream.
Jesse: What about it?
Becky: Well, I was wonder...Jess, what if we adopt?
Jesse: Adopt what?
Becky: You know, a baby. It would just like...well, you know.
Jesse: Oh yeah, you mean how...but instead...well, the baby just comes...
Michelle: From your heart.
Jesse: Well...yeah, like she says.
Danny: That's a beautiful definition, sweetheart.
Becky: And that's what adoption is. When a baby comes from your heart.
Danny: Pam and I talked about adoption after Michelle was born. Just so we
could have a boy, too. But, we decided against it for a while. Then, of course,
the accident happened.
Becky: Jess, let's not miss an opportunity. I'm sure there's...well...you know...
They think they want babies, but they're too young...
Danny: Maybe you better go upstairs and talk about this.
Michelle: No, they can stay down here. This is fun.
Jesse: Hey, don't worry. (Sweetly, kneeling beside the couch) So you want to
adopt, huh?
Becky: Yeah.
Jesse: Well, we said earlier we'd make the time. Let's go for it.
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(Danny and Vicki together, Stephanie walk in):Vicki: Isn't it sweet how Jesse and Becky are adopting.
Danny: May adopt. I'm with Becky. I'm still convinced that Kathy could keep
her baby. Hi, honey. (He hugs her) How was school?
Stephanie:: Fine. Dad, is it true that one of D.J.'s friends is giving up her baby for
adoption.
Danny: May give him up. Something happens when you hold that bundle of joy
in your arms. Plus, she should take responsibility for her actions.
Stephanie:: Like when you reduced my punishment for flying to Auckland
because I took such good care of Michelle? And admitted how my worst
mistake was taking her along.
Danny: That's right, you presented a good, well thought out argument last year.
And, you showed only why Michelle should be grounded for less time, not you.
Because she did obey you perfectly. You were very unselfish. So, since you'd
both been really good for a few days, I reduced her punishment by two weeks,
but also yours by one. I reward good behavior like that, don't I?
Stephanie: (as the phone rings, Becky runs in to pick it up): Yep, that's just what
D.J. said you'd say last year. (Danny glares) Oops. Well, I mean, I just sort of
tried out my argument, she gave me some advice, and...Well, come on, Dad, you
know I would never do that again.
Danny: (grinning) Just checking. I know it's a little late now to do anything.
Besides, the important thing is, you know how dangerous that stuff is.
Stephanie:: Yeah. So, where is D.J., anyway?
Becky: (back in the picture): On the phone.
Stephanie:: How'd I do that?
Becky: She and Steve are down with Kathy and her mom right now. She says
it's time. (Into phone): Listen, Deej, I'm calling Jesse at the radio station, and
we'll be right down. (She hangs up)
Danny: We'll be here to watch the twins. Tell D.J. I'll come down for her as son
as Joey gets home to watch the others.
Stephanie: (as Michelle walks in the door): I can babysit, Dad.
Michelle: Why would you need to babysit Dad?
Danny: You're just a little young to handle three or to handle toddlers yet. Get a
little more experience with Michelle, and you'll be in good shape.

(Kimmy, and Steve are in the waiting room with Kathy and Mrs. Santoni)Kimmy: This is so cool. It reminds me of when our pets had babies.
Steve: Man, I'd just hate to be around a pregnant woman. With all they eat, I'd
never get any food.
D.J.: (Walking into the scene) I called. Aunt Becky's on her way.
Mrs. Santoni: We're here for my daughter, she's having a baby.
Nurse: (as Kathy scream due to a contraction) Which one is she?
Kimmy: (Points to Kathy) This one, Hannah. (Turns to D.J.): Betcha couldn't
guess she's my cousin, Deej.
DJ: I...had my suspicions.
Nurse: Wait right over there.
Mrs. Santoni: My daughter has talked about giving the baby up for adoption.
Her friend D.J. there phoned the prospective parents. It's her aunt and uncle.
Nurse: Thanks, we'll make a note for the social worker.

(Minutes later, Becky and Jesse walk in)Jesse: (walking up to the nurse) Is our baby here yet?
Nurse: Funny, you don't look pregnant.
Becky: What he means is, is the baby we might adopt here yet?
Nurse: Oh, you must be here for Kathy Santoni. She just went into the maternity
ward with her friends.
Becky: (as she and Jesse walk toward the room) Oh, Jess. This is such a great
moment.
Jesse: Yeah. We haven't talked about it 'cause we - well, mostly you have been
afraid it might not happen. But, it does look like it might be our baby coming.
Becky: Actually, I was just thinking about having a baby without going through
labor.

(Joey arrives home, he sees Danny and the girls.)Danny: Vicki had to leave to go back to Chicago. I'm going down to be with
D.J..
Joey: Fine, I'll handle things here.
Stephanie:: Dad, if Kathy ends up keeping her baby, can we get another pet
instead?
Michelle: Maybe we can get a horse.
Danny: Girls, horses are smelly sometimes, they aren't potty trained, and they
cost thousands of dollars to raise.
Stephanie:: And your point is?
Joey: Look, Aunt Becky still has her one horse. D.J. lost interest fast. But, if you
ever want to go out to the stables to ride, it's right there.
Stephanie: (making a face): Eww, I don't want to be around that kind of a smell.
I'd rather deal with dirty diapers any day.
Michelle: But, you didn't mind the smell when I came home last Saturday.
Stephanie: (putting an arm around her): That's because I love you no matter how
you smell. Becauses, when you were young, you were a real stinker.
Michelle: Thanks. I think.

(Scene is at the hospital waiting room)Becky: Well, now all we can do is wait.
DJ: I wish we could be back there with her.
Danny: I know, honey. Especially since there's no father.
Jesse: It's a shame, you know. She just threw away her future. And, she'll
always have those what-ifs floating around in her mind if she does give him up.
Becky: Yeah, like what would his first words have been, or thinking about that
first pet, the joy of his first day of school.
Danny: That wonderful sixteenth birthday. Where if it was a girl, hopefully
she'd get her first kiss then and not before.
DJ: What a magical memory.
Kimmy: Yeah. And she wouldn't have the thrill of being able to comfort him
after he stayed up half the night to watch his first horror movie.
Becky: Even that's special, in a way.
DJ: All those what-ifs. Maybe that's one reason why she chose you guys.
Danny: I think you've got something there, Deej. She knew she might at least
hear about some of it from Uncle Jesse and Aunt Becky.
Nurse: (walking out to them) Miss Santoni just gave birth. You can all go back
now.

(They enter the waiting room, Kathy is holding Scott)DJ: Hey, Kathy.
Jesse: (shaking the baby's hand with his thumb) Hey, little Scotty. It's me. I'm
gonna be your Daddy.
Becky: Uh...Jess..let's wait till she says something.
Social worker: Kathy's still a little uncertain. She says now she may choose to
keep Scott.
Becky: (shocked): What?! But we were hoping...(Jesse puts an arm around her) I
know. I know. I guess I was hoping, too.
Mrs. Santoni: Honey, think about your life. You might have to miss your prom
because your baby's sick or something.
Kathy: I went to it as a sophomore. It's just...if I give him up, I'll miss so much.
I'll know of him, but I won't really know him.
Danny: Look, Kathy, I know it's probably not my place. But, I've raised three
girls. It's taken lots of energy. And, even with your mom helping, it's going to
be very stressful. And, you have to figure your schoolwork, your job,
everything into it. And then there's the need for a male role model. A baby
should have two parents; even if those happen to be a dad, an uncle, and a best
friend like in our case.
Kathy: I know. Look, just...give me a chance to think. A day or two.
Jesse: (a little depressed): Yeah. We'll do that.

(The family is sitting in the living room, except for Becky, who is coming
downstairs)Becky: I just got the boys down for their naps.
Jesse: Great (The doorbell rings, D.J. runs to get it) Seems like we should be
hearing from Kathy sometime here.
DJ: Kathy. Come on in. (Kathy enters carrying Scott) I think you know
everybody.
Kathy: Yeah. Can I...talk to your aunt and uncle alone?
DJ: Sure. Come on, Steph, Michelle. Let's go into the kitchen.
Michelle: I wanna stay here.
DJ: I'll fix you some ice cream. (Michelle runs ahead of them as they leave.)
Danny: I've got some cleaning to do. (He leaves)
Joey: I'll go work on some comedy in my room. (He leaves, too.)
(Kathy sits in a chair, Jesse and Becky remain on the couch)Kathy: First...I want to say...thank you.
Jesse: Aw, it's no problem. We're sure you gave it your best try.
Becky: Jess.
Kathy: I've been carrying this baby around so much. It's not the eternal joy I
expected. He kept me awake half the night crying last night. And, he does need
to be held quite a bit. I don't have the freedom I did; I won't have.
Jesse: Won't? What do you mean won't?
Kathy: I know you were probably anxious. I know this is a choice a seventeen
year old maybe shouldn't make alone. But, I'm keeping the baby. My mom's
going to help, and I'm hoping to find a good man.
Becky: Are you sure?
Jesse: Look...man, this is tough. I mean...we almost feel like, well I almost feel
like... Well, there was just so much anticipation.
Kathy: I know. I know.
Becky: Look, get involved in a church or something, get him into scouting,
activities like that. He can find his role models there. Don't go after the first
man you see. Because that baby needs to be kept safe, too.
Kathy: Oh, don't worry. I've already gotten the name of the church Pam and the
girls used to go to. And I'm not going to take the first man that comes along. I
promise, the next time I sleep with a man or live with him, we'll be happily
married after a long time of getting to know each other.
Becky: I hope so.
Kathy: I just wanted to say thanks. I need to get going now. To...well, to get
some stuff for him.
Becky :(staring at the door as she leaves): Yeah. You're welcome. (She begins to
get teary, Jesse puts an arm around her)
Jesse: Hey, it's okay, Beck. It's okay.
Becky: I just hope that baby has a good life. I know we could have provided him
with one.
Jesse: Hey, it's hard for me, too. I felt like he was part of our lives for just a little
bit.
Becky: (as D.J. walks in) I just wish we could have gotten those promises in
writing.
D.J.: (Sitting besides them) Hey. I had to listen in. Steph and Michelle are still
having their snack, but...I just wanted to say I'm sorry.
Becky: It's okay, Deej. You did your best.
D.J.: I don't have much contact with her. But, Kimmy does.
Jesse: (sarcastically) Oh, we'll be sure to trust her with information on Scott.
DJ: Look, Kathy's really been...well, crazy about boys since the first day of
seventh grade. In a way, Dad always worried this might happen. But, she
seems to have learned her lesson now.
Becky: What if she goes back now? To the way she was?
Jesse: Then we'll be there for her.
DJ: That's right. She knows the offer's still there. I'm sure if, six months down
the road, she realizes it's too much to handle, she'll come knocking on our door.
(She chuckles.) Or, maybe she'll just use our hay loft.
Becky: (now smiling) Maybe. (To Jesse) I just want a child like that to have a
good home.
Jesse: Well, maybe this one will. Maybe there's another baby like Scott out there
that's gonna need a home later.
Becky: That's true. (She thinks for a moment as D.J. leaves the scene) You know,
the social worker says the waiting list for a newborn can be a coulpe years. At
least. But...maybe we're meant to have our next baby like that.
Jesse: Yeah. Or, if in a few years, if we still haven't heard anything, we can
adopt an older one.
Becky: Right. Jess...we had our home visits a couple weeks ago. Let's keep our
names with the agency. I mean, we can specify that we want to help a young
teen who made a big mistake. And...well, then the tough part will come. We
just wait. We just won't talk about having kids ourselves, because we'll never
know when one could come.
Jesse: Yeah. But, you know what? Whether it's Scott or someone else later, this
is a great idea. Because we know we can show a child lots of love. I'd love to
help like that. And, I know someone who's just as great at showing that kind of
love. (They embrace)
Jesse and Becky: Have mercy!